Sex Education: Are we on the Right Track?

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are on the rise among teenagers. This has led to recent calls in the newspapers for sexuality education to include the teaching of condoms and contraceptive use. Is this sound advocacy? What do these calls mean for Catholic parents and educators? The Catholic Medical Guild (CMG) responds to these calls and explains the Catholic perspective on this issue. CMG's article can help Catholic parents and educators better educate our young. Please click the picture below to read full article.

* Picture courtesy of mfa

Formation Programme for Educators 2008 (FPE)

On Friday, 7 November, Msgr Eugene Vaz presided at a Thanksgiving Mass for the teachers who have completed Year 1 of the ACCS initiated two-year Formation Programme for Educators (FPE).

In his homily, Msgr Vaz challenged everyone to respond to God’s call to discipleship. He also provided insights on the role of Catholic educators in shaping the lives of young students. He commended the teachers for their generosity in taking the time to learn more about our Catholic faith amidst their busy schedules.

At the end of the Mass, William from St Gabriel's Secondary shared with everyone the positive impact this formation programme has had on his life. It has enriched his personal life and enliven his spiritual growth in daily life. He also suggested that the programme be available for every teacher in the Catholic schools. He ended by saying that he looks forward to the second year of the programme.

The teachers on the FPE have completed studies in the following modules for 2008: Anthropology of the Christian Vocation (Psycho-spirituality), Prayer, Principles of Religious Formation, God (a philosophy seminar on the question of God), Contextual Theology and Moral Theology.

In 2009, the following topics will be offered to these teachers:

1. Philosophy of Being Human
2. Anthropology of the Christian Vocation II
3. Prayer II
4. Social Teachings
5. Theology of Dialogue
6. Moral Theology II
7. Salvation History

The FPE resumes in January 2009. For now, the teacher-participants are on a well deserved break!

A note:

The Formation programme for Educators (FPE) is a 2 year programme for school leaders and teachers, who are open to learning and growing in their vocation as educators in Catholic schools. The FPE is especially useful those who are active leaders in the areas of religious education, character development and values education, and are committed to serving their school.

* Picture courtesy of CHIJ OLN

Communio: a report on the 3rd gathering

50 educators from our primary and secondary schools gathered at our 3^rd Communio session to learn about the social teaching of the Catholic school. Also present were some NIE students.

This session entitled The Catholic Church’s Social Teachings: a foundation for Catholic Schools? was facilitated by Fr David Garcia, Sr Maria Lau and Mr Henry Tzen from Caritas Singapore Community Council.

Fr David began by sharing with us the history of the social teaching of the Church. He then introduced the various principles of Catholic social teaching. He illustrated these with everyday examples. Participants appreciated this as it helped them to see how the various principles are very much part of the way we live and work.

After his presentation, Sr Maria invited participants to reflect on their schools to see how and to what extent these principles are part of the school community. Some participants shared about various programmes that involved student and staff participation. They felt this highlighted the principle of participation. Others pointed how the philosophy of Catholic schools – focused as it is on the child – was evidenced in the efforts schools make to reach out to the lost, least and forgotten among their students. And this, they recognize demonstrated the principle of human dignity. Others spoke about respecting the different levels of administration and work in school, where with respect and support each was enabled to carry out his responsibilities. Here the principle of subsidiarity was at work, they acknowledged. The sharing enriched the participants. It also provided them with new ideas for the classroom and school.

Some responses from participants at the end of the afternoon included:

• “We are now more aware of how to communicate to our students the Church’s Social teachings. We can better integrate them into our school programmes.”


• “The session is relevant to our schools – they offer good Catholic ways to live, teach and learn as a school.”


• “Much of what we do as a school community is in line with the various principles of the Catholic social teachings. Good to know!”


• “The session was informative and educational.”


• “Useful. Helped us to establish and nurture ethos of the Catholic school.”

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With this session, Communio comes to an end for 2008.

Next year, 4 talks are scheduled, one per term, as part of the 2009 Communio series. Watch out for the calendar of these talks that will be posted online shortly.




photos: courtesy of CSCC